Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

What: Taxi Walker
Who: Happinet Toys
Why: If you needed an added incentive to forego that taxi ride home in favor of a brisk stroll, this should do the trick. In addition to logging distances walked and calories burned, this pedometer also tells you how much money you’re saving by striking out on foot rather than hailing a cab. Dyed-in-the-wool pedants will particularly enjoy the “ryokin up” function, which counts down the final 50 paces before your hypothetical fare rises again. Being tight-fisted never felt so good.
How much: ¥2,079
Where: Available at major electronics stores, Amazon Japan and other retailers